less expensive options for mid-side recording

["oryoki2000" oryoki2000]

Dan Dugan wrote,

> The larger professional recorders (like Sound Devices)
> have MS decoders built-in so you can record left-right
> stereo from an MS mic."

A new, less expensive option for mid-side decoding in the field is the Rola=
nd R-26 ($495 USD).  See page 38 in the R-26 manual.  You also can set the =
apparent "width" of the soundscape on a scale of 1 to 10.

The R-26 XLR inputs have very good equivalent input noise performance, acco=
rding to tests by Avisoft Bioacoustics.  EIN is similar to the Sony PCM-D50=
 and Marantz PMD661.

The Zoom H4n ($270) and Tascam DR-40 ($165) also support XLR mic input, and=
 can decode mid-side mic input.  These recorders' preamp sections have rela=
tively poor EIN. If you're recording in a quiet setting they may not be a g=
ood choice.

--oryoki